Discover Oromocto’s Adventure Trails and Historic Sites
A perfect adventure for the whole family, the Oromocto River Watershed is made up of adventure trails, covered bridges and historic sites. Using Fredericton has your home base, plan your daytrip adventures to explore the best waterfalls in central New Brunswick. After a day of exploring, return to the Capital City to indulge in local eats, craft brews, and live music. The perfect mix of outdoor adventure and urban experiences await, not to mention some great hotels deals – check them out HERE!
Now that your home base is looked after, let’s get to our pro tips for exploring Oromocto’s Adventure trails like a local this summer!
Gateway Wetland Visitor Information and Interpretive Centre
We recommend making the Gateway Wetland Visitor Information and Interpretive Centre at 26 Gateway Drive your first stop of the day! Open daily from 9am to 6pm to the public, the center is a perfect stop to get a full overview of the sites to be seen and grab your maps before hitting the trails!
Currie House Museum & Trails
45 minutes south of Fredericton sits Fredericton Junction's historical Currie House Museum. The buildings and grounds are historical landmarks with rich histories of their own. Open to the public each summer for tours, the house is with filled with artifacts from members of the community and surrounding region. The house captures the way “life used to be” for the people in the area.
As you venture behind the house into the stunning white pine forest, you’ll find twenty sculptures scattered throughout the trails leading to the river. The pieces, which are carved out of dead pine trees, were pulled from Robin Hanson’s “Art in the Park” collection. (Pro Tip: If you are interested in seeing more of his works, check out the Hanson Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden which is located just outside of Oromocto!)
As you continue, the trail will eventually open above the riverbank once you reach the Currie Point Bluff – in addition to a magnificent view, this spot is also well-known to locals as home to the historic Gaspereau Run each spring!
Currie House Museum is a perfect spot for a picnic lunch this summer. And if you’re looking to cool off on your way home – stop by Riverhaven Red Barn for an ice cream treat. (Pro tip: known for their homemade delights, this local gem was named one of the best places to get ice cream in Atlantic Canada by Atlantic Business Magazine!)
White Rapids Adventure Trail
Just up the road from the Currie House you can dip your toes into the Oromocto River – just like elephants did! Yes, that’s right! In 1912, The Barnum And Bailey Circus train came to Fredericton Junction. They stayed for two days and put on a full circus program. When the “Greatest Show On Earth” was over, the elephants were marched down to the North Oromocto River by Peterson’s Rock where they washed and watered. The elephant statue in Currie Park commemorates the fun memory.
There’s also a special significance in this spot that dates back 100 years before the elephants! The War of 1812 brought 17 gun boats to the river system to protect against invasion from the Americans. What was the planned invasion route for the Americans, the Oromocto River was flooded with gun boats powered by 10 to 12 oarsmen ready to move into action whenever needed. A statue of the War of 1812 soldiers sits at Peterson Park to commemorate the memory.
Today the park is well loved by locals as a favorite swimming and fishing hole.
Raggedy Ass Falls
Another 25 minutes south in Wirral, lays Raggedy Ass Falls – a local favorite. A quick 10-minute walk takes you to four waterfalls, located in a picturesque gorge. Raggedy Ass Falls features plunge pools at each falls, perfect for a refreshing dip. At the top of the fourth falls is a 24-inch-deep bore hole just large enough to put your arm down. It’s said that guests drop coins into the hole and come back next year and find all the dates are worn off the coins.
Bald Mountain Adventure Trail
If you continue down the 101 and take a right onto Ogden Rd, after a few minutes you’ll find yourself at the Bald Mountain Adventure Trail head. The trail has three degrees of difficulty fit for a wide array of skill levels. Whether you want to pack your climbing gear and venture up steep side of the rock face, or opt for the smoother trail route, all paths lead to the same breathtaking view of the landscape below. Don’t forget your binoculars – perhaps you will spot a moose!
This is just a taste of the full Oromocto River Watershed adventure network. Check out the links below for more awesome places to explore:
Oromocto South Branch Falls – Kirkpatrick Trail
Adventure awaits! Get out this summer to explore the stunning views of the Oromocto River Watershed. To learn more about the watershed and to start mapping out your trip, visit oromoctowatershed.ca
